Wondering if anyone on here has lived in Canada and the USA?

[Elite]

I am a born and raised Canadian. Living in northern Alberta most of my life. Have been working in the oilfield since 18 but with the recent turn of events and what is to come within Canada in the future it is making me question if a move is on the horizon. Looks like there is a lot of gas plant/field operator positions available in the states. Looks like the wages are lower but I am wondering how the tax is compared to Canada? The amount we pay on tax and the cost of groceries alone is insane up here. I am looking at Idaho/Wyoming/Colorado. Looking for any advice or pros and cons of each and how the states is compared to Canada

Thanks


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[WCB]

Avoid Colorado if you don't like the way Canada is going. If you take advantage of what Alberta has to offer hunting wise...STAY! Individual states have there own rate plus local taxes etc. We use a progressive tax as I believe Canada does.

 

[Elite]

Avoid Colorado if you don't like the way Canada is going. If you take advantage of what Alberta has to offer hunting wise...STAY! Individual states have there own rate plus local taxes etc. We use a progressive tax as I believe Canada does.

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Thanks for input, I am currently a avid hunter here and take advantage of it but looks like those states offer some good hunting as well? I am also paying 36% income tax right now. That’s federal plus provincial tax


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[maxp]

I've lived in Kansas, Missouri, and now Alberta...I would say tax will be somewhat less but keep in mind healthcare costs...if you have no healthcare concerns probably be all right but in my situation its much cheaper for me to pay Canadian tax and get the benefits I do than for me to stay down there...just my situation...28 year old school teacher

 

[FLATHEAD]

I'd be Adios ASAP.
I might add, move to a very RED state.

 

[Zappaman]

I've been trying to talk my wife into buying a cabin in Canada (Newfoundland- near the coast). We spend a few weeks up there back in 2918 and met SUCH nice people and land prices weren't too bad. But it gets cold... so wife still isn't convinced.

The fishing and hunting seems to be good from all the people I talked with when I was there. But I'm not sure about immigrating there (for benefits... I'd guess). But if the wife got a job opportunity up there, she'd probably go with me. She at least keeps an eye out so I just keep crossing my fingers!

That said, we'd still keep our place in Kansas-- summer in Canada, winter in Kansas. That would be cool I think. Oh well, I can dream

 

[Blockcaver]

Dual citizen, spent 35 years working in CO, them moved to the interior of BC for a great job in 2009. Lots of pros and cons for both places. Retired in BC if that tells you anything. Doesn't mean I am happy about the political situation in Canada now vs the first years I lived here, but have hopes it get worked out.

Cross border taxes typically require an expensive tax accountant specialist but the delta in taxes wasn't much.

Hunting can be very good in the lower 48, just as it can in Alberta and BC. Definitely more hunters and larger game populations in CO...specifically elk and mule deer.

Culturally I did not find it hard to adapt to BC coming from CO. Lots of good like minded people in both places. Labor laws were very similar as well.

Good luck!

 

[wildwilderness]

Thanks for input, I am currently a avid hunter here and take advantage of it but looks like those states offer some good hunting as well? I am also paying 36% income tax right now. That’s federal plus provincial tax


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Move to Alaska! Pay is great and oil field jobs. No state income tax, no sales tax in many places, plus you get paid the PFD just to live here!. Most employers will pay for health insurance.

That way you could still look at Canada as your southern neighbors as the rest of the lower 48. Plenty of hunting and fishing in AK

 

[Iron pig]

Born/Raised in Alberta as well. Moved 10 Yrs ago to the US. Co. Requested transfer to start Operations, which is by Far the easiest. Some folks think that Jumping back/fourth across the border is easy, which is a misconception.

Easiest Option is to Take a Job that would allow you to Transfer based off of Elite experience/Specialist in your field. This would give you an L1A/B visa, Which is good for 3 Yrs, then you can get an extension for 2 Yrs. and extend again for 2 Yrs, Eventually you will have to decide weather You want to Pursue a green card, Or Move Back Home as they don't want you freeloading forever, (Same as US Folks in Canada) The green card will give you Permanent residency and Can lead to Citizenship, You can apply for Citizenship after 5 or 10 Yrs, one or the other.(?)

Hunting in PA/Eastern US is a lot different than Hunting in AB, Still lots of Opportunities to get out, though you wont run into the Big Animals like AB does (Deer Wise)

Each place Has its Pros/Cons. AB/SK, you have wide open Country North Of Edmonton, Regina etc. Not the same in the US. You Can Still find Wide open Spaces in the US out west, But eventually you go a direction far enough, you'll hit a road/Hwy/Town, Though I'm still surprised at the vastness of the eastern US and it is Busy here (4 hrs from NYC/NJ Philly etc. east to west

I Know of some others in Oil/Gas that have worked in the Bakken/ND oilfield as Consultant type work, But had to sponsor their own Visa, No idea on Cost on that, But Depending how long you want to go, You could be forking out your own Healthcare costs/Insurance, Or traveling back to Canada for care.

I think a Lot of Work Visa's they give out depends on lack of Workers in that field. If your a doctor, Or Secondary Education, Specializing in something Its Somewhat easy to get a Visa, Getting a green card is a Bit different (and expensive) Basically, if there is an American that can do your Job, Why would they give you a visa to Take said Job. (on Paper that is, I'm Far from a Specialist)

Home Ownership doesn't get you anything either, You still have to travel out of Country every 6 Months to re-set healthcare coverage (Snowbirds)


Trudeau and the Gvt./Political agenda up there isn't good. But the US has had a Lot of Turmoil in the last Decade, or more as well.

Political wise, there are differences, But also Similarities. this is shifted State to state, especially shifted in Swing states.

This may be a bit Drawn out, But Jumping borders is More Complicated than what I see people think. Its a Long Process, You May have already looked into it though.

You have kids, Education costs are a Lot more expensive in the US, as is Having Babies, etc, Home ownership costs Vary Greatly across the US. Etc.

Not saying one Country is better than the other, You have to make up your own roadmap. For me, I will most likely End up back in Alberta at some point.

 

[mtnbiker208]

Buddy has a green card, he was bummed for quite awhile as he could not go see his parents or his parents see him. Talking to him, he has no desire to move back to canada. His biggest complaint with the green card is, he pays taxes, but can not vote.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

Idaho and Colorado are both very much in demand right now, I would look at Wyoming of the 3 states you mentioned


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[leadpillproductions]

im in the same boat bc is turning into joke . Yukon or Wyoming for me

 

[chapman8523]

Move to Alaska! Pay is great and oil field jobs. No state income tax, no sales tax in many places, plus you get paid the PFD just to live here!. Most employers will pay for health insurance.

That way you could still look at Canada as your southern neighbors as the rest of the lower 48. Plenty of hunting and fishing in

I disagree, Alaska should be your last option. It's a horrible place to live. The mountains suck, people everywhere, no public land, hunting blows, salmon are all gone.